Torque Exercises - Solutions

We have three methods for calculating torque about a particular point. A. Want torque about this point R F Force acts here. = rF = rFsin Note: F means the component of F perpendicular to R not the vertical component of F. Use this method if both R and are easy to find.

B. Want torque about this point Lever arm R F

Line of action

= RF Use this method if the lever arm is easy to find.

Force acts here.

C. Fy F Fx

r r r = RF = ( iR x + jR y ) ( i Fx + jFy ) (R F R F ) =k x y x y

Ry

R Rx

r r Use if R and F are easy to break into Force acts here. components.
Equivalent to using the leverarm approach for r each component of F .

Want torque about this point

Solutions (a) A W B T H C Method A B B B Method A B B B Method A B B A Method C B B B Torque +WTsin Wmg 0 HPx Torque 0 +Wmg WPy HPx Torque Tcos +Wmg WPy 0 Torque +WTsin HTcos Wmg 0 0

Py Px D Point A Force T mg Py Px Force T mg Py Px Force T mg Py Px Force T mg Py Px

mg

Point B

Point C

Point D

(b) L N A Point A fs

T B

mg

Force T mg N fs Force T mg N fs

Method A B A a Method A B B B

Torque +LTsin Lcos mg 0 0 Torque 0 +Lcos mg LcosN +Lsinfs

Point B

(c)

Py Px

B T D

C 2mg AB = 3L FE = 1L 3mg BC = 1L AF = 3L E F Point A Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Method C B B A A Method A B B B A Method A B B B B Method A B B B B Method C B B B B Torque +3LTsin + LTcos 2L2mg L3mg 0 0 Torque +LTcos +L2mg +5/2L3mg 3LPy 0 Torque 0 +L2mg +5/2L3mg 3LPy +LPx Torque +2LTsin L2mg +L3mg LPy +LPx Torque +2LTsin 2LTcos L2mg +L3mg LPy +3LPx

Point B

Point C

Point D

Point E

Point F

Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px

Method C B B A B

Torque +3LTsin 2LTcos 22mg L3mg 0 +3LPx

(d)

A B T G 3mg F D E Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px 2mg

Py Px

Point A

C FE = 1L DC = 2L BC = 1L DE = 1L Method C B B A B Method A B B A A Method A B B A A Method C B B A A Method C B B B B

Torque +3LTsin + 3/2LTcos 2L2mg L3mg 0 3 /2LP Torque +LTcos +L2mg +5/2L3mg 3LPy LPx Torque LTcos +L2mg +5/2L3mg 3LPy +LPx Torque +2LTsin LTcos L2mg +L3mg LPy +LPx Torque +2LTsin 3/2LTcos L2mg +L3mg LPy +3/2LPx

Point B

Point C

Point D

Point E

Point F

Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px Force T 2mg 3mg Py Px

Method C B B A B Method A B B A A

Torque +3LTsin 3/2LTcos 2L2mg L3mg 0 +3/2LPx Torque +3LTsin L2mg L3mg 0 0

Point G

(e) H mg N2 h

fs1 A

N1 fs2 B

Rotate your axis to line up with the incline! Point A Force mg N1 fs1 N2 fs2 Force mg N1 fs1 N2 fs2 Method C A A B A Method C B A A A Torque Wmgcos (h+H)mgsin 0 0 +WN2 0 Torque +Wmgcos (h+H)mgsin WN1 0 0 0

Point B

(f)

N R Mg A fs T

Point A

Force Mg N fs T

Method A B B A

Torque +RMgsin 0 0 RTsin